Most Recent AMM Articles

Learn about proposed marriage legislation around the country, including important amendments to same-sex marriage bans, interracial marriage laws, the minimum age to marry, who can legally solemnize marriage and officiate weddings, covenant marriage licenses, common law marriage, remote / virtual marriage services, penalties for refusing marriage services to LGBTQ+ couples, remarriage, marriage waiting periods, and more.

Rumors are flying that Kanye West and Bianca Censori were married in a secret surprise wedding, but the celebrity couple haven't applied for or filed a marriage certificate or marriage license. Learn what this means for Ye and Bianca's supposed marriage, what's required for a legally binding ceremony, what a commitment ceremony is, and how to avoid the same paperwork mistake while planning your own wedding.

This original salt and sage ‘love smudge’ is the perfect ritual blessing for a lowkey Pagan wedding! Including directions on how to prepare the blend and cast a circle around the wedding ceremony space, with examples for the officiant on what to say and do during the smudging ceremony. This smudge recipe includes pink salt and sea salt, sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, cinnamon, soil, and more, for powerful magick on the wedding day, and was created by AMM minister Reverend Scarlett Mullikin.

Learn about the history of the marriage license and common law marriage in the U.S., from ancient rituals like handfasting, through the Middle Ages, to modern marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples.

It’s time to eliminate the ‘marriage penalty’ for disabled adults and ensure marriage equality for all Americans. Millions of Americans can lose their disability benefits and eligibility through Social Security SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid by choosing to get married. These penalties affect DAC recipients, SSI recipients, and others who receive SSA supplemental income. Learn about recent legislation, including the 2022 Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act and California's SRJ-8, and what's next in the fight for equal marriage rights.

Learn about the new online marriage license application process in Dallas County, Texas, including the option to schedule a virtual appointment with the County Clerk Office. Online marriage services are expected to become available beginning February 2023, under the supervision of County Clerk John Warren. Find out how to apply and what the requirements are for a Dallas County marriage license.

Learn how to write a wedding officiant contract & terms of service document for your business, with this advice from professional officiants. We cover the basic details every contract should include, such as your fees / rates, payment schedule and deposit, who the agreement is between, who obtains and returns the marriage license, a summary of your services, cancellation and change policy, and more.

This unique wedding ceremony includes a unity puzzle ceremony, with the perfect wording for your wedding officiant to say to capture the sweet symbolize and meaning of the ritual. This wedding script also includes a warm welcome and greeting to guests, and an exchange of vows and rings. Written by ordained AMM Minister and professional officiant Dan Henkel.

There is no fee to apply for a New Jersey marriage license through June 30th, 2023! The usual application fees for marriage and civil union licenses were waived as part of a "one year fee holiday" passed by Gov. Phil Murphy and other legislators, making a NJ wedding a little easier and more affordable than ever. So start planning that Spring wedding ceremony now! Then, ask a friend or relative to get ordained online to officiate.

New legislation would repeal Indiana's defunct same-sex marriage ban and expressly protect same-sex marriage rights in the state. Read the proposed amendments in the 2023 House Bill 1122 (IN HB1122), authored by Rep. Kyle Miller and co-sponsored by Rep. Mitch Gore, and other recent attempts to codify same gender marriage in the country.

A short introduction to informal and common law marriage, including a simple definition, which states honor common law marriages, guidelines for cohabitation (living together), having a wedding, vow renewal, or commitment ceremony, and advice for wedding officiants who are asked to officiate a ceremony without a marriage license.

A look at the most popular wedding ceremony scripts published in the free AMM Wedding Ceremony Script Library this year! These original scripts were written by experienced wedding officiants and ordained AMM Ministers. Favorites include Christian wedding scripts, non-religious civil ceremony scripts, a seasonal Fall wedding, a ceremony for older couples, and ceremonies with unique unity readings, songs, poems, and more. Use these scripts as-is, or as inspiration for your own custom ceremony.

A look at the most popular wedding articles published on the AMM American Weddings blog this year! From current wedding trends, to creative and simple ways to personalize a wedding ceremony, to how to get married without a ceremony at all. Plus advice for wedding officiants and couples, wedding readings, and ideas on how to perform other rites like funerals and baby blessings.

Add some humor to your wedding ceremony script with these fun alternatives to "until death do us part." Perfect for couples who love to laugh together, nerds in love, partners in crime, and any other happy couple planning a funny, offbeat marriage ceremony.

Governor Kathy Hochul just signed legislation to approve a one-day-marriage officiant designation in New York State. Read about the new one-day officiant license, how to apply for designation with the Secretary of State, how long it takes to get approved to officiate, and how one-day authorization compares to online ordination through American Marriage Ministries when legally officiating a wedding in New York State, including NYC.

There’s a new original wedding ceremony script in the AMM library! This officiant script celebrates free-spirited and non-traditional love, equality, independence, respect, freedom, and true partnership in marriage. Written by ordained minister, officiant, and songwriter Karen E. Reynolds.

A sweet memorial ceremony script with sample wording for a bubble release or flower floating ceremony, written by AMM Minister Michelle Rojas. This sample speech is a great eco-friendly alternative to a traditional memorial balloon release, to capture the memory of the deceased and bring friends and family closer together. It includes a simple welcome, a heartfelt eulogy speech, a moment of remembrance, a bubble release / flower floating ceremony, and a sweet conclusion.

Creative vow ideas for your vow renewal ceremony! Choose from 10 vow examples to renew your marriage commitment, celebrate a wedding anniversary, marriage renewal, or second wedding ceremony. Use these sample vows as-is or as inspiration when writing your own vows, whether they be short and sweet, funny, child or family oriented, or romantic and heartfelt. Plus links to free full length vow renewal scripts.